Message from NLD Chair

Happy October everyone! As we are nearing the end of the year, I want to take the time to give a big shout-out to the San Diego County Bar Association’s internal team who has accomplished so much this year including moving to our new home at 330 A Street, hosting the 125th SDCBA Anniversary, and welcoming our new Executive Director Debra Rosen. We would not be able to accomplish everything we do at the Bar if it was not for the internal team. Also, a big thank you to Director Michelle Chavez who has been the New Lawyer Division’s faithful guide and support.

NLD still has many great events coming up this year, including a Toy Drive for San Diego Superior Court’s Juvenile Court, a hike with the Wellness Committee, the Swearing in Ceremony for Newly Admitted Lawyers, Stepping Up to the Bar, and NLD’s Holiday Ugly Sweater Party to close out the year. We look forward to connecting with you as we usher in a new batch of attorneys. We continue to strive to make sure NLD is a place where your voice can be heard and connect you to the resources you need to be successful in your career. See a full list of events and how to register for each below.

We also have ongoing elections for NLD’s Executive Committee next year. The deadline to vote is October 28, 2024. The candidates are listed below. To learn more about the candidates and vote for who you would like on the Executive Committee, please click here.

• Stephanie Germani
• Michael Kenny
• Varun Sabharwal
• Robert Shawhan
• Ryan Stygar

This month is also breast cancer awareness month, and so many, if not all, of us know someone who has been personally affected by cancer. One of my good friends is a wife and mom of three who is currently undergoing chemo treatment for breast cancer. She is a constant reminder that no matter what life throws at us we have to stay brave and fight even when we feel like we have nothing left to give. When you have a moment, I encourage all of us to reach out to someone who was, or is, affected by cancer and remind them there is somebody in their corner. Even a kind text message or quick call can make a world of difference.

Brene Brown often uses former President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Daring Greatly” quote when talking about how to handle what life throws at us.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man [or woman] stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself [or herself] in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he [or she] fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his [or her] place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

This quote is a reminder that it does not matter what life throws at us; it matters that we wake up and fight every day. Even when all feels lost getting up and fighting in the arena is better than not doing anything at all. It is easy to be critical and there are many times where I am sure it is hard to even get through the hour, let alone the day. But those in my life who I have lost to cancer have always shown me that life is not worth wasting — it is worth fighting for. This message is dedicated to all those we have lost to breast cancer and those still fighting the fight.

Upcoming Events: 

• Nov. 9, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. – Wellness Committee–NLD Hike at Los Penasquitos Canyon
• Nov. 12-25, 2024 – Toy Drive for San Diego Superior Court’s Juvenile Court – Can purchase a toy, which will be sent to the Court using this link. 
• Dec. 5, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. – Stepping up to the Bar
• Dec. 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. – Swearing in Ceremony for Newly Admitted Lawyers
• Dec. 2024 (TBD) – PATH Blanket Drive for the those experiencing homelessness and NLD’s Holiday Ugly Sweater Party (further details to come).